Window-actuating mechanism



Jan. 2, 1940- l B. H. NOLAND Er AL 2,185,646

WINDOW-ACTUATING MECHANISM Jan. 2, 1940. lla. H. NOLAND ET Al. 2,185,646

WINDOW-ACTUATING MECHANI SM Filed Jan. 5, 1959 3 Shees-Sheet 5 i E J ATTO EYS Patented Jan. 2, 1940 PATENT OFFICE WINDOW-ACTUATING MECHANISM Barton Noland, New York, N. Y., and Edmund L. R.. Smith, Baltimore, Md.

Application January 5, 1939, Serial No. 249,364

'Clalms. (Cl. 268-123) Our present invention relates generally to window-actuating mechanism', and has particular reference to that type of arrangement which permits a window to be automatically adjusted 5 under predetermined conditions.

While our invention is not restricted to any particular mode of use, the present mechanism is well adapted for application to a household window which is intended to be restored from 1 an open condition to a normally closed condition at a predetermined time or under predetermined circumstances. We have herein illustrated our new Amechanism in association with such a window, for the accomplishment of such a puru pose; but it will he understood that it is equally within the purview of our invention to control the operation of any other type of window or closure, such as a door or transom. In fact, certain phases of our invention are applicable n .to the automatic control of any two relatively movable elements whose relationship is comparable to that of a window and window frame, a door and. door frame 0r the like.

Furthermore; where the invention is applied to a window or similar closure, the automatic action need not always serve to restore the clof sure to a normally shut condition. For example, under certain circumstances it might be desirable to employ our invention for the purpose of openinga window or closure at a predetermined time ai' under predetermined circumstances; or to adjust such Window or closure inI some other manner.

` The general object of the invention is to pro- 85 vide a mechanism which is simple in structural nature, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install, and eilicient and reliable in operation. At the same time, we have aimed to provide a mechanism which is compact and relatively in- 40 c'pnspicuous, and devoid ci unsightly features.

Our present mechanism is characterized by a telescopic assembly of relatively movable tubular elements one of which is secured to the window, the other to the window frame, an actuating means such as a spring being accommodated within said assembly in operative interposition b etween the tubular elements. Where the invention ls applied to the ordinary sliding type of window, it isl preferable to use two such telescopic assemblies, one on each side of the window.

It is a further object of our invention to provide an arrangement which permits the window to be releasably locked in any selected adjusted position, other than the normal position. Thus,

if the invention is employed for the purpose of restoring a window to a normally shut condition, it is possible freely to open the window to any desired extent and to lock it in a releasable manner at any selected open position. The locking' means is preferably of a character which pre- 6 vents access from the exterior of the window.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved releasing means, capable of control from a relatively remote point, e. g., by means of an alarm clock or the like. The releasing 10 means is electrically controlled, for example, by means of an electromagnet, and it is a particular feature o our invention to provide certain improvements in the electric circuit, whereby the functioning of the mechanism is rendered safe, mi economical, and reliable.

It is a further object of our invention to provide a new type of control for the releasing means, viz., a control which responds to rain or l its equivalent. This control, which may be said @o to be a type of electric relay, embodies features of novelty which make it independently useful for a wide variety of other. purposes; although its employment with a window-actuating mechanism is peculiarly appropriate and useful. gli.

lThe improved relay comprises a normally ineffective means which is adapted to be rendered effective by rain or its equivalent, and includes an element which is electrically non-conductive when dry out which becomes conductive when wet.

We achieve the foregoing objects, and auch. other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively examplified in the accompanying drawings, in ne, which- Figure l is a iront elevational View of a conventional type of sliding household window, with our mechanism associated therewith, the window being shown closed;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the window in an adjusted open position;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through a telescopic assembly of the present character, this view being taken substantially 4@ along the line 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a view taken from the left of Figure 3, this view being thus an enlarged view of the left hand portion of lFigure l taken in the same direction as Figure l; 50

i Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view taken substantially along the line 6`6 of Figure 4;

Figure '7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the locking and releasing means, this .view being taken in the direction 1-1 of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 9 9 of Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical circuit;

Figure 11 is a plan view of the special rainresponsive control device;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line |2|2 of Figure 11; and

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line |3|3 of Figure 11.

We have chosen to illustrate our invention in association with the lower sash 20 of a conventional window which includes the window 'iframe 2| and the upper sash 22; and we have illustratively shown an installation intended to restore the window 20, when the mechanism functions, to the normally shut condition shown in Figure 1.

We have also shown the preferred use of two telescopic assemblies 23 and 24, each of which is secured to the upper portion of the window 20 Aby means of a bracket 25, and to the lower portion of the windowframe 2| by means of a bracket 26.

Only a single locking and releasing means is needed, and this is designated by the general reference numeral 21 and is shown in association with thetelescopic assembly 24.

In Figure 5 we have illustrated one of the brackets 25, and in Figure 6 we have illustrated one of the brackets 26.

'I'he bracket 25 is secured to the window 20 by means of screws or fasteners 28, and comprises a U-shaped element 29 carrying the spaced but aligned pivots 30'. The inner ends of these pivots are preferably in screw-threaded engagement with the opposed U-shaped clamps 3| adapted to be tightened together by the studs 32. The clamps 3| conjointly engage securely and permanently around the upper portion of the telescopic assembly, which is thus pivoted at its upper end about a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the telescopic assembly.

'I'he bracket 26 is fastened to the Window frame i 2| by means of screws or fasteners 33 and comprises a U-shaped element 34 provided with the spaced but aligned pivots 35. These pivots engage with the opposed U-shaped clamps 36 adapted to be tightened together by the studs 31. The clamps 36 conjointly engage securely around the telescopic assembly, andthe pivot axis is parallel to the pivot axis at the upper end of the assembly.

These pivot axes facilitate the installation of the telescopic assembly, maintaining its parts in i true slidable alignment; and the adjustability afforded by the screw-threaded elements3ll is of further aid in installing the mechanism in correct fashion.

The telescopic assembly 23 is illustrated most clearly in Figure 3, and it will be understood that the assembly 24 is of'identical character.

'I'he assembly consists of relatively movable tubular elements the upper one of which is secured to the window 20 by means of the bracket 25. This element has an end block 38 which carries two concentric tubes, an inner tube 39 and an outer tube 40.

'I'he other element of the assembly is secured to the window frame 2| by the bracket 26, and

may have an end block 4| which also carries two concentric'tubes, an inner tube 42 and an outer tube 43.

The inner tubes 39 and 42 constitute a snugly fitting pair, and outer tubes 40 and 43 constitute a similar snugly tting pair. In the annular space between these pairs is an actuating means which we have shown in the form of a coiled spring 44 coaxial with the telescopic assembly as a whole. The upper end o( the spring is secured as at 45 to the block 38, andthe lower end of the spring is secured as at 46 to the block 4|.

'I'he innermost tube 39 is provided with a closed end block 41, to which a leather skirt 48 is preferably attached, so that the tube 39 cooperates with the tube 42 in the nature of a plunger and cylinder. To facilitate this operation the block 4| is preferably provided with the longitudinal vent 49 in which a valve member 50 is loosely mounted.

When the window is moved into an open position, the tube 39 slides upwardly within the tube 42, and the tube 40 slides upwardly Within the.

tube 43. Air is permitted to enter through the' vent 49. During this movement, the spring 44 becomes tensioned.

Accordingly, in order to maintain the window in an open position, it must be locked in some way; and when it is released, the spring 4 4 draws the twov tubular elements back to their normal relationship shown in Figure 3. During this movement, a pressure is developed, beneath the plunger element 48, which serves to retard the action during its final stages. There is suflicient leakage around the valve 50, and through the other joints, to permit the compressed air to escape.

For the purpose of klocking the elements in any selected adjusted relationship, with the spring tensioned, We provide the upper end of the tube 43 with one or more slits 5| (see Figure l'7), and we provide a releasable clamp 52 which engages around this slitted portion. When the clamp is tightened the tubes 43 and 40 are securely clamped together against relative movement; and when the clamp 52 is loosened, the normal movability is restored.

The operation of the locking' means, i. e., the clamp 52, and the operation of the releasing means, is most clearly illustrated in Figures '1-10 'I'he clamp 52 is in the form of a resilient band Whose two ends 53 are brought into parallel spaced relation. One of them carries a lug 54 having an inclined cam surface. A pin 55 extends through both ends 53, and isl provided with an enlargement 56, and also with a cam 51 which cooperates with the cam 54 when the pin 55 is given a rotative movement.

'I'his movement of the pin is effected by a manually operable element 58 which swings between the full-line and the dot-and-dash line positions of Figure 7. When this element is in the full-line position the clamp 52 is tightened. When it is in vthe dot-and-dash position the clamp 52 is loosened.

A tension spring 59, or its equivalent, tends to draw the element 58 normally into the dot-anddash position, and when this element is moved'up into the full-line position, a projection 60 latches itself behind a lever 6| pivoted at 62 and normally held in the full-line position of Figure 8 by means of a spring 63 or its equivalent (see Figure 9).

The lever 6| carries an armature 64 which is subject to the influence of an electromagnet 65, so that when the magnet is yenergized the lever 6| is pulled into the dot-and-dash position 'oi' Figure 8, thereby releasing' the element 68, and allowing the spring 69 to pull the element 68 into the dot-and-dash position of Figure '1.

The electromagnet 65 may be of any suitable or convenient character, or may be replaced by an equivalent electrical instrumentality. It is arranged in an electric circuit which includes a switch 66. This switch has been shown by us in the form of a double pole knife switch, the movable element 61 being pivoted at 88 and having a handle 69 arranged in the path of movement of the element 58. The latter also carries a finger 10 which is 'adapted to engage the handle 69 during the downward movement of the element 58.

The adjustable portion of the locking means 52, the manually operable element 58, the releasing means including the magnet 65 and the lever 6i, and the switch 66, are preferably mounted as a unit in a box 1I which is permanently clamped to the tube 43 by clamps 12. The box 1| has a slot 13 through which the free end of the element 58 projects, so that it is readily accessible.

The electric circuit, as shown most clearly in Figure 10, is quite simple and includes the ordinary supply line 14, the switch 61, the electromagnet 65, and a suitable control 15 which may be of any desired character and which consists essentially of a normally open switch or relay 16 adapted to be Vclosed at a predetermined'time (e. g., by means of an alarm clock mechanism) or under predetermined circumstances.

The operation of the control 16, however, has no effect upon the circuit unless the switch 61 is closed, and it will be observed thatthis switch is never closed unless the element 58 is in a position which renders the locking means operative. In this way, the installation is entirely safe, no current/is ever wasted, `and the electric circuit is not capable of functioning at all except when the device is set by adjusting the free end oi the element 58 into the locking position.

The operation of the mechanism will be clear from the description hereinbefore given. Under normal circumstances, the window remains in its normal shut position. At any time, it may be opened to any desired extent and retained or locked in this adjusted position by merely moving the element 58 into the locking position. If the window is thereafter to be shut, or readjusted, nothing more 'fs needed than to momentarily release the element 58 (which may be done by hand if desired). If the restoration of the window to its normal position is to be automatically effected, the control device is properly set, and at a predetermined time, or under predetermined circumstances, the electric circuit will be closed automatically, thereby energizing the magnet 65. re-

leasing the locking means, and allowing the actuating means, such as the spring 44, to restore the window to its normal position.

This normal position need not necessarily be a' shut position, as hereinbefore stated. Furthermore, the mechanism need not necessarily be associated with a slidable window, but may with equal facility be installed in association with a pivoted window or closure such as a door, transome, or Casement window. The terms window andL window frame, as used herein and in the appended claims, are therefore intended to include within their significance any relatively movable pair of structural elements comparable to a window and its window frame.

The two pairs of slidable tubes, entering into the construction of the present telescopic assembly, afford a staunch and smoothly-operating construction which is unusually reliable and effective. These pairs of tubes also provide a convenient annular space between them to accommodate and thereby conceal the actuating means. And, as herein described, the inner pair of tubes lends itself readily to a plunger and cylinder cooperation which is effective and useful in' assuring smooth and unhurried operation of the device.

The special control device which forms a part of our present invention, but which is obviously of independent utility in a wide variety of fields, is illustrated most clearly in 'Figures II-i3. We have illustratively shown a receptacle 11 within which two spaced electric terminals 18 are mounted in insulated relation from each other. With this object in view, these terminals may be mounted on insulation, or otherwise electrically separated in any convenient manner. Arranged in bridging relation to these terminals is an element 19 which we have shown in the form of a small cylinder. an opening in the receptacle, so that drops of rain, ortheir equivalent, may fall through and encounter the element 19.

The element 19 is of a material which is electrically non-conductive when dry, butwhich is adapted to become conductive when wet. Rock salt embodies these characteristics, and the element 19 may therefore be a block or element of rock salt.

'Ihe entire device is preferably associated with lead wires 8| which extend to the terminals 18 respectively, and at the end of these lead wires there is preferably arranged a separable connector 82 permitting this entire control device to be separably associated with the electric circuit, as indicated in Figures l and 2.

When this device is used with a window-'actuating mechanism, the receptacle 'il is place on the window sill, or is in some other way exposed This element is arranged below to the weather, but preferably not entirely outside. As a result, the window may be locked in out fear of having rain, snow or sleet, enter through the window; because as soon as any such inclemency results in the ingress into the receptacle 11 of rain or its equivalent, the control device becomes operative to energize the electromagnet 65 and thereby bring about closure of the window.

llt will be understood that the receptaclel l1 may be made of any suitable material, and that its shape may be varied and modified to suit requirements.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, herein described and illustrated for the purposes of explaining the nature of our invention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention and illustrated its use, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a window-actuating mechanism, a telescopic assembly of relatively movable tubular elements one of which is secured to the window, the other to the window frame, each of said tubular elements comprising twn concentric tubes, the inner tubes being arranged as a snugly tting inner pair, the outer tubes being arranged as a snugly fitting outer pair, and actuating means arranged in the annular space between said pairs and operatively interposed between said tubular elements.

2. In a window-actuating. mechanism, a telescopic assembly of relatively movable tubular elements one of which is secured to the window, the other to the window frame, each of said tubular elements comprising two concentric tubes, the inner tubes being arranged as a snugly iitting inner pair, the outer tubes being arranged as a snugly fitting outer pair, and actuating means arranged in the annular space between said pairs and operatively interposed between said tubular elements, said actuating means comprising a coiled spring coaxial with said tubular elements.

3. In a window-actuating mechanism, a telescopic assembly of relatively movable tubular elements one of which is secured to the window, the other to the window frame, each of said tubular elements comprising two concentric tubes, the inner tubes being arranged as a snugly fitting inner pair, the outer tubes being arranged as a snugly fitting outer pair, and the tubes of one of said pairs being constructed to cooperate as a plunger and cylinder.

4. In a window-actuating mechanism, a telescopic assembly of relatively movable tubular elements one of which is secured to the window, the other to the window frame, each of said tubular elements comprising two concentric tubes, the inner tubes being arranged as a snugly fitting inner pair, the outer tubes being arranged as a snugly fitting outer pair, the innermost tube having a closed end so that it operates as a plunger Within the other tube'of the inner pair,

and' actuating means arranged in the annular space between said inner and outerpairs, said actuating means comprising a spring constantly but yieldably urging said tubular element into a normal relationship.

5. In a window-actuating mechanism, a telescopic assembly of relatively movable tubular elements one of which is secured to the Window, the other to the window Iframe, a spring arranged within said assembly to urge said tubular elements constantly but yieldably into a normal relationship, and releasable means for locking said tubular elements in any selected adjusted relationship with the spring tensoned, said releasable means comprising a clamp carried by the window frame and engaging around said tubular elements to clamp them together.

BARTON H. NOLAND. EDMUND L. R. SMITH. 

